Needle loom



O.V.PAYNE May 3, 1966 NEEDLE LOOM a sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jan. 2, 1964 0. V. PAYNE May 3, 1966 NEEDLE LOOM 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 u m %\Q A N WW\ I! u@ M W M Filed Jan. 2, 1964 y 3, 1966 o. v. PAYNE 3,249,127

NEEDLE LOOM Filed Jan. 2, 1964 8 SheetsSheet 3 0. V. PAYNE NEEDLE LOOM May 3, 1966 8 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed Jan. 2, 1964 Y 3, 6 o. v. PAYNE 3,249,127

NEEDLE LOOM Filed Jan. 2, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 0. V. PAYNE NEEDLE LOOM May 3, 1966 8 Sheets-$heet 7 Filed Jan. 2, 1964 0. V. PAYNE NEEDLE LOOM May 3, 1966 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Jan. 2, 1964 on PMS QEEQ United States Patent 3,249,127 NEEDLE LUOM Oscar V. Payne, East Road, Greenfield, N.H. Filed Jan. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 335,713 43 Claims. (Cl. 139-127) This invention pertains to weaving looms, in particular to needle looms, and more especially to a needle loom of the type wherein a single weft pick is inserted at each weaving cycle by a so-called needle, and in the embodiment here illustrated, but without limitation with respect to its broader features, to a needle loom of that kind wherein an end of the filling yarn is carried partway across the shed to a transfer point (by a yarn-presenting needle, hereinafter for convenience sometimes referred to as the PR needle), where the end of the filling yarn is taken by a yarn-receiving needle (hereinafter for convenience being referred to at times as the RE needle), and wherein, while the presenting needle remany of the improved features herein disclosed are such as may be incorporated in existing looms of commercial type.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a needle loom of the above type so designed as to minimize its width thus making possible its installation in a space substantially smaller than is required for most prior commercial needle looms of similar capacity, and in the attainment of this object to provide means whereby each needle proper requires a much shorter stroke in reaching the transfer point than is customary, although permitting each needle to be retracted so that its yarn-engaging end is outwardly beyond the selvage when fully retracted. A further object is to provide novel means for delivering the yarn end to the yarn-presentingneedle and for actuating yarn-gripping means by which the end of the yarn is seized while the PR needle is retracted and for so actuating the gripping means as to release the yarn at the transfer point. A further object is to provide novel means whereby the yarn end is taken and gripped by the yarn-receiving needle at the transfer point and then released from the RE needle when the latter is fully retracted. further object is to provide novel means whereby the yarn end, when released by the yarn-presenting needle, is transferred to the yarn-receiving needle. A further object is to provide novel means for advancing and retracting the needles and novel means whereby compressed air may be supplied and vacuum may be created, desirably by the motion of the needles themselves, as a means for effecting yarn-transfer.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the following more detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, small scale frontelevation of the needle-actuating mechanism of the present invention, omitting most of the loom parts and showing the needles at the yarn-transfer point;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing both needles completely retracted;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view, to larger scale than FIG. 1, showing the tips of the needles at or approximately at the thread-transfer position and showing, in somewhat greater detail, the means for actuating the yarn-receiving needle;

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FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation, with parts in vertical section, showing the ends of the needles in the position of FIG. 3, and with the thread-gripping elements of both needles in closed or thread-clamping position, but omitting the thread;

FIG. 4a is a fragmentary section in the same plane as FIG. 4, showing the ends, only, of the needles, to larger scale, and in the same relative position as in FIG. 4;

FIG. 4b is a fragmentary section in a plane perpendicular to that of FIG. 4a, showing the air passage and the free end of the yarn floating in the air stream;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section, on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, with certain parts shown in broken lines and in elevation;

FIG. 6 is afragmentary vertical section on the line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section in the plane of the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a section similar to that of FIG. 8, but substantially at the location of the line 99 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the location of the apparatus of the present invention as related to the lay-beam of the loom;

FIG. 10a is an end elevation of the yarn-presenting needle showing the ends of the yarn-gripping jaws in closed position, but omitting other parts;

-FIG. 10b is a view similar to FIG. 10a, but showing the jaws open;

FIG. is an end elevation, to larger scale than FIG. 10a, showing the operative end of one of the jaws;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view showing both needles in retracted position;

FIG. 12 is an inverted rear elevation showing the yarnreceiving needle in retracted position and the means for actuating its yarn-clamping device;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary diagrammatic elevation illustrating filling control mechanism useful for color variation, shown with reference to parts of the loom and to the position of the weft-presenting needle PR;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary horizontal section on the line 14-44 of FIG. 13, showing the end of the yarn-presenting needle when in yarn-receiving position and showing the course of the yarn being laid into the needle, the loom crank being at front center;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic elevation showing the course of the yarn relative to the yarn changer and yarn holder when the crank is at bottom center;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary section on the line 1616 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic small scale end elevation of the loom frame showing the crankshaft and diagrammatically indicating the means for actuating the needles;

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic elevation of the opposite end of the loom frame;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary diagrammatic elevation illustrating details of the means for driving the needles;

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic end elevation, to the same scale as FIG. 17, showing the mechanism for actuating the filling-yam gripping means of the yarn-receiving needle;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary rear view, partly in section, on the line 21-21 of FIG. 20, showing the parts illustrated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the crank for actuating the slide by means of which the yarngripping element of the yarn-receiving needle RE is actuated;

FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing the sequence of events during one revolution of the loom crankshaft; and

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic horizontal section, to small scale, illustrating an arrangement whereby the needles themselves provide air pressure and suction to aid 1n yarn transfer.

Referring to the drawings (FIGS. 1 and 2), the needles 1 and needle -actuating mechanism of the present invention are shown as mounted upon the lay L of a loom, which, in general, may be of a known type, and are so designed as to occupy but little more space than is requlred for the customary shuttle, so that the application of this novel mechanism to the loom does not require any substantial change in or interfere with the operation of the conventional shedding mechanism.

As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 10, a portion of one end of the lay-beam, with one needle support, according to the present invention, mounted thereon, is shown in full lines and, for comparison, the outline of a conventional shuttle St is indicated in broken lines with the shed comprised of the warp sheets W and W extending to the fell F of the cloth.

In FIGS. 17 and 18, there are shown diagrammatically and to small scale the opposite end frames M and M respectively, of a conventional loom, the loom crankshaft being indicated at C and lay swords at D. A cam 102 for actuating the needles and associated parts is shown mounted on the crankshaft C. Since the means for supporting and actuating the needles RE and PR are substantially alike, the description which follows is directed specifically to the needle RE and associated parts and will be followed, where necessary, by a description of such unlike details as pertain, respectively, to the individual needles.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the support 100 .for the needle RE is shown as mounted upon and secured to the lay-beam L in any desired manner. On this support 100 there is a horizontally movable carrier 105 (FIGS. 3, 4 and provided with four downwardly directed stud shafts 106; 107 (FIG. 3), the two shafts 106 carrying bevelededged guide rolls 108 (FIG. 5) which engage a horizontal groove in the inner face of a vertical flange 109 on the support 100, while the two shafts 107 carry similar guide rolls 110 which engage a horizontal groove in the inner face of a parallel flange or part 111 of the support 100,

the carrier 105 thus being accurately guided for movement longitudinally of the lay-beam. The carrier 105 comprises two coaxial clamping rings 112 and 113 respectively (FIGS. 3, 4 and 11), each of-these rings preferably being split as shown at 114 (FIG. 5) and provided with a bolt 115 by means of which it may be adjusted as to effective diameter. Adjustably secured in these rings is a tubular, cylindrical needle holder 116 (FIG. 3) having attached to one side, as by means of screws 117 (FIGS. 3 and 11), a housing 118 for a grooved sheave 119 (FIGS.

3, 7 and 11) arranged to turn about a vertical shaft 120;

The carrier-105 is provided with a second vertical shaft 121 (FIGS. 3 and 11), upon which there is mounted to turn a' guide sheave 122 like the sheave 119. The support 100, which is fixed to the lay beam, is provided at its forward edge with an anchorage device 123 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 11) to which the opposite ends 124 and 125 of an endless needle-actuating band 126 are secured, the band embracing both of the sheaves 119 and 122 and being secured at an intermediate point in its length, as hereinafter described, to the yarn-receiving needle RE. Since the sheaves 119 and 122 are carried by the longitudinally slidable carrier 105, while the ends of the band are secured to a relatively fixed anchorage at 123, movement of the carrier 105 longitudinally of the lay L causes re ciprocation of the needle RE relatively to the holder 116- by a universal joint connection at 132 (FIG. 19) to one corner of a triangular plate 133 pivotally secured at 134 to a member 135 constituting a part of the side M of the loom. A bracket 136, adjustably attached to the plate 133, carries a pivot pin 137 to which one end of a link 138 of adjustable length is attached, theother end of this link being pivotally connected at 139 to a radius arm 140 pivotally connected at 141 to the part 135 and which carries an arcuate, peripherally grooved sector 142 of approximately a quadrant of arc. Adjustment of the bracket 136 is to adapt the loom for weaving cloth of different widths, while adjustment of the length of link 138 is for varying the location of the yarn transfer point.

Freely rotatable, grooved guide rolls supported on the lay structure guide an endless cableCX (FIGS. 1, 4 and 19), by means of which the carriers for the two needles are actuated. Two of these rolls 148 and 149 define a substantially rectilinear run of the cable CX which is attached, at an intermediate point, to the sector 142 so that, as the sector rocks, the cable is pulled alternately in opposite directions. Two of the guide rolls 143 and 144- define a rectilinear run to which the carrier for needle RE is attached at 156- (FIGS. 4 and 19), while two other guide rolls 146 and 147 define a rectilinear run to which the carrier 105a for the needle. PR is secured at a.

Coaxial with the rolls 144 and 146 respectively, are two independent, freely rotatable guide rolls 144a and 146a. Between these two pairs of guide rolls, runs Cm, Cn (FIG. 1) of the cable CX cross each other. Thus, as the cable is moved back and forth by the sector 142, the carriers 105 and 105a are moved in opposite directions.

The needle holder 116 (FIGS. 6 and 8) is provided at its forward end with an internal eccentric bushing 150 for guiding the needle RE, and the rear end of this needle (FIG. 8) is closed by a block 151 which slides in the tubular holder 116. The block 151 (FIG. 4) has an eccentrically located hole through which the endless band 126 passes, the band being fixedly secured to the block 151 by appropriate clamping devices.

As shown in FIG. 4a, the needle RE has a hollow tip at its forward end, said tip having: a smooth, semiellipsoidal outer contour and having a yarn-receiving orifice or port 161 in its end. The inner surface of this hollow tip, bordering the yarn-receiving port, is of truncated conical contour providing an annular line-contact for the spherical end surface of a cylindrical yarngripping plug 162 (FIGS. 4 and 4a). This plug has a guiding spider 163 which slides within the bore of the hollow tip and which forms an abutment for one end of a coiled compression spring 164- whose opposite end seats against the aforesaid conical surface so that the spring thus urges the plug 162 away from its seat. The plug 162 has a stem 165 (FIGS. 4a and 8) which extends rearwardly through the hollow needle RE and is secured to a shackle 166 (FIG. 8), slidable in a guide opening in a web 167 fixed within the needle. This shackle 166 is connected by a link 168 (FIG. 8) to one arm 169 of a bell-crank lever V fulcrumed at. 170 on a part 171 which slides within a bore in the block 151 which closes the rear end of the needle. The link 168 is connected by a pivot B to the arm 169 of the bell-crank lever V' thus providing a locking toggle. The part 171 has a stem 172, screw-threaded at its outer end, which passes through an axial bore in an externally screw-threaded sleeve 173 having threaded. engagement with a screw-threaded portion of the wall of the axial bore in the block 151. A spring 174, interposed between the sleeve 173 and the part 171,'yieldably urges the part 171 toward the forward end of the needle. A locking nut 175, engaging the stem 172 secures the parts in adjusted position.

As above noted, the bushing 150 in the needle holder 116 is eccentric to the holder so that the needle is not coaxial with the holder, thus leaving a space-176 (FIG. 8)

between the needle and the holder at one side of the latter. The bell-crank lever V above referred to has a second arm 177 which extends into this space, through a slot 178 in the wall of the needle. tappet 180, for rocking the bell-crank lever V in one direction, slides in a bore in the block 151 with its inner end opposed to the arm 177 of the bell-crank lever V. The tappet 180 has a stem 181 (FIGS. 8, 11 and 12) whose outer or rear end (FIG. 12) is opposed to an actuating member 182 (FIG. 12) having a stem 183 which is adjustably fixed in an opening in a block 184 (FIG. 12) to which there is secured the outer end of a rod 186 (FIG. 12) which is guided to slide longitudinally in openings in the rings 112 and 113 and to whose inner end there is secured a toggle-locking member 187 (FIGS. 8 and 12) which slides in a slot in the wall of the holder 116 and has an elongate portion 189 which engages the inner surface of the tubular holder.

In the operation of the needle RE, it is necessary that the yarn-clamping plug 162 be in retracted position when the needle is at the transfer point in order that the end of the yarn may enter the orifice 161 (FIG. 4a). Such retraction of the plug 162 is automatically caused by the action of spring 164 (FIG. 4a) when the stem 165 of the plug is permitted to move rearwardly, that is to say, away from the port 161. On the other hand, as soon as or desirably before the needle RE begins to retract, the plug 162 should be advanced thereby to clamp the end of the yarn between the plug and the conical interior surface of the hollow tip of the needle and the plug should be locked in this clamping position until the needle has been retracted until its tip is outwardly beyond the selvage line of the cloth. Then when the needle RE reaches this position, the plug 162 should again be permitted to retract in response to the spring 164 thereby to release the yarn end.

For thus controlling the position of the plug 162, the lay-beam Lv is provided with a slidable control bar 190 (FIG. 12), movable longitudinally of the lay-beam and guided and held in assembled relation to the lay-beam by suitable retaining and guiding clips 191. On this bar 190 there are adjustably fixed two dogs 192, and 193 respectively, having tails 194 and 195 which are engageable alternately with opposite parallel faces of a lug 196 on the part 184. As shown in FIG. 12, the bar has a series of screw-threaded holes, so spaced apart that the dog 192 may be adjusted for different widths of cloth.

For actuating the slidable control bar 190, the latter is provided with a rearwardly directed pivot pin 400' (FIG. 22) which is received in a bearing opening in the upwardly directed arm 401 of a crank device comprising a sleeve portion 402 which turns on a pin 403 rigidly secured to the part 109 (FIGS. 5 and 22). This'crank device also comprises an arm 404, at right angles to the arm 401, which is pivotally connected to the upper end of a connecting 'rod 405 (FIGS. 20 and 21) whose lower end is connected to a floating pivot pin 406 (FIG. 20) to which there is also connected the lower end of a rod 407 whose upper end is pivotally connected at 408 to one arm 409 of a lever pivotally mounted at 410 on the end frame of the loom, the lever having a second arm 411 provided at its free end with a cam follower element 412 (FIG. 20) which engages the peripheral edge of a cam 413 mounted on the loom crankshaft C. A tension spring 411a holds the cam follower 412 in yielding contact with the cam.

The lay sword D of the loom is secured at its lower end to a rock shaft D and carries a bracket B (FIG. 21) having a guide opening for the lower part of the connecting rod 405, thus keeping the pivotal axis at 406 in line with the lay sword, so as to avoid error due to the motion of the sword as the lay rocks. As shown in FIG. 20, the cam 413 is at that point in the cycle at which the crankshaft is 25 in advance of front center.

The yarn-presenting needle PR and the means for ac- A lock-actuator or tuating it are generally similar to the yarn-receiving needle RE and the parts associated with the latter as heretofore described. Corresponding parts, pertaining to the respective needles are herein designated by the same numerals except that in some instances the numerals for designating the corresponding parts associated with the needle PR have the superscript a.

The tip of the needle PR (FIGS. 411, 10a and 10b) is of approximately the same external contour as that of the needle RE, but instead of a relatively large yarn-receiving port at its tip, like the port 161 of the needle'RE, the needle PR has a semicircular recess 169m in its tip, of a radius, for example, of the order of one-sixteenth of an inch, and a narrow slot intersecting the recess 160m for the reception of oppositely movable jaws 420, 421 (FIG. 10b), each jaw having a recess 422 (FIG. at its inner corner defining a quadrant of the yarn-receiving opening. The jaws are at the ends of two levers 423, 424, respectively, pivoted at 425 and 426 and having tail portions 427, 428 which are connected to an actuating rod 163a by links 429, 430. A coiled spring 431 urges the jaws apart. As shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b, the tip portion of the needle has an outwardly flaring throat opening x which, when the jaws 420 and 421 are separated, as shown in FIG. 10b, leads to the yarnreceiving recess 160m.

As here illustrated (FIGS. 13, 14 and 15), the' loom is provided with a color selector CS and a filling-end holder and cutter F the color selector being designed to present yarns of different colors, or differing in other characteristics, to the needle PR, as controlled by a pattern chain or equivalent device, the color selector being provided with a plurality of pairs of relatively movable, yarn-holding jaws which may be selectively positioned, in accordance with the pattern control, to dispose the end of any yarn, held be one of said pairs of jaws, in operative relation to the open jaws of the needle PR. Each-of these sets of jaws comprises a pair of jaws operative, at times, to clamp a yarn leading from a supply, and a cutter jaw operative, at the proper time, to sever a yarn at a point adjacent to the filling-end holder.

When the needle PR is fully retracted, its tip portion 160a is spaced outwardly from the selvage of the cloth,

indicated diagrammatically at SV in FIG. 14, and is so disposed that a filling yarn F, extending from a source of supply and passing through guide eyes G and G to one pair of yarn-holding jaws 212, is tensioned to enter through the flaring throat 160x until it is within the semicircular recess 160m and between the opposed edges of the open jaws of the needle PR.

The color selector CS may be of generally conventional type and, as here shown, comprises a segment 210 (FIGS. 13 and 14) pivotally supported on a shaft 211 and to which the movable jaw of each of the several pairs of yarn-holding jaws is fixed. Each movable jaw, for example the jaw 212 (FIG. 13), is pivotally connected to one end of a slidable actuator rod 213 which is urged toward jaw-closing position by a spring 214. For closing the jaws of any selected pair, there is provided a plunger 215 (FIG. 14) (engageable with the end of the rod 213 of that pair of jaws which has been selected) which is actuated by a rocker member 216 FIGS. 13 and 14 pivotally supported at 217 and having an arm which is connected by a rod 219 (FIGS. 13, -14 and 16) to the free end of a lever 220 (FIG. 13) pivotally supported at 221 and which has a cam follower element 222 engageable with a cam 223 fixed to a shaft 224 which is driven by suitable connections (not shown) to turn in time with the loom crankshaft.

The segment 210 which supports the several pairs of color selector jaws is provided with a crankarm 225 (FIG. 13) which is connected by a rod 226 to one arm 226a of a bell-crank lever pivoted at 228 to a fixed support and having a second arm 229 which is connected by a rod 230 to a suitable pattern-controlled device (not shown).

For example, the rod 230 may correspond to the rod 19 of the mechanism disclosed in the patent to Payne, No. 3,101,098, dated August 20, 1963. By this means any desired one of the pairs of color selector jaws may be brought into the position relative to the tip of the needle PR as indicated in FIG. 14. p

The yarn holder and cutter F (FIGS. 13 and 14) comprises a fixed clamping jaw 231 carried by a slide bar 232, and a movable jaw 233 pivotally supported at 234 and having an actuating arm 235 (FIG. 13) which is connected to a slidable rod 236 (FIG. 13). The rod 236 is guided to slide in bearing brackets 236x and 236y on the slide bar 232 which is mounted on the breast-beam. A bell-crank lever (FIG. 13), fulcrumed at 237 (FIG. 13) on a fixed part, has an arm 238 provided with a slot 239 The other arm 241 of the bell-crank lever is pivotally connected to the lower end of a rod 242 whose upper end is pivotally connected to a lever 243 having a cam follower 244 which-engages a cam 246 on the shaft 224. This cam is so contoured as to move the yarn holder, as a whole, toward and from the loom reed, Two adjustable dogs 246a and 247a are mounted on the rod 236 and disposed at opposite sides of a fixed stop 247 (FIG. 14) thereby moving the rod 236 relatively to the slide bar 232 as the latter is moved toward and from the reed and thus operating to open and close the jaws of the yarn holder.

The shaft 211 on which the segment 210 is mounted and the shaft 217 (FIG. 14) on which the rocker 216 is mounted are carried by a slide 260 (FIG. 16) mounted on the breast beam. This slide is moved toward and from the reed by a bell'crank lever (FIG. 13), fulcrumed at 262 on a fixed support, the arm 261 of which is connected to the slide 260. The other arm of this bellcrank lever is connected by a rod 263 to a lever 264 which is fulcrumed at 265 on a fixed support and which has a cam follower element 266 which engages a cam fixed to the shaft 224.

In accordance with the present invention, the transfer of the filling end from the needle PR to the needle RE at the transfer point is insured by directing a jet of air from the needle PR toward the yarn-receiving port 161 in the end of needle RE, while concomitantly creating suction at said yarn-receiving port. This pneumatic action may be provided by delivering compressed air from any suitable source to the interior of the needle PR-as the'latter approaches the transfer point and by connecting the needle RE to a vacuum pump or other source of low pressure as the latter needle approaches the transfer point. For this purpose, the interiors of the hollow needles may be connected by means of flexible tubing or its equivalent to a source of compressed air and vacuum respectively, with valves, of any suitable and/or conventional type, responsive to the motion of the needle carriers 105 and 105a respectively, for opening the valves as the needles approach the transfer point and for closing them as the needles begin to retract. However, it is preferred, in accordance with the present invention, that the motion of the needles themselves create the desired pressure and vacuum.

Thus, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 24, the needle PR is hollow and provided with air inlet ports 300 near tis rear or outer end so that the interior of the needle communicates with the space between the outer surface of the needle and the interior of the holder 116a. This space is provided near its front or inner end with a normally closed conventional check valve Y. In this View, the walls of the holder and needles are indicated by single lines, and the cross-hatched areas represent air filled spaces.

The space within the holder 116a to the rear of the block 151a is vented to the atmosphere at A In the same way, the hollow needle RE is open at its rear end to the space within the holder 116 and the latter has vent ports 301 near its forward or inner end,

and at its rear or outer end is closed except for the pro vision of a normally closed check valve of conventional type indicated at X.

As above described, the holder for the ,needle RE (FIG. 8) is provided at its forward end with an internal eccentric guide bushing 150 for guiding the needle and the rear end of the needle is closed by a block 151 which slides within the holder 116.

When the needle RE advances, the "block 151, acting like a piston, creates low pressure behind it since no air can enter through the closed check valve X, while air can escape freely through the vents 301 in the side of the needle holder. Thus low pressure is created at the rear of the needle, with consequent suction at the needle tip so as to draw the yarn into the orifice 161 in the tip. When the needle retracts, air is driven out through the check valve X and enters freely through the vents at the side of the needle holder, although some air may be driven out from the tip of the needle, thus clearing the passage.

When the needle PR advances, its block 151a (FIG. 9), acting like a piston, compresses air before it within the needle holder, the check valve Y now being closed and so air enters the needle through the holes 300 in the side of the needle and is discharged as a jet at the top of the needle. When the needle PR is retracted, its piston 151a pushes air out through the check valve Y while air freely enters through the lateral vent ports.

GENERAL OPERATION Referring to the timing diagram (FIG. 24), the sequence of operations of the needle loom is as follows: When the crankshaft is approximately at bottom center, both needles PR and RE are in retracted position with the jaws of needle PR open; the harness has begun to change; the filling holder clamps the yarn end; and the color selector clamps and cuts the filling. As the crankshaft continues on toward the front center, the needle RE releases the end of filling which it has pulled through the shed; the color selector is fully retracted and holding the new end of filling; and as the crankshaft passes the forward center, the filling holder, now in retracted position, releases the yarn and the jaws of the needle PR close on the filling. When the jaws of the needle PR close, the yarn is gripped within the opening 160m. and as the color selector releases the yarn and retreats, a short end or tail of yarn is left projecting from the end of the needle PR. As the crankshaft approaches the top center, the harness change is completed and as the crankshaft reaches top center both needles start inwardly through the open shed. As the crankshaft now continues toward the back center the needles continue to move in and at the time when the crankshaft has reached the back center, the tips of the needles are at the transfer point where they are from one-fourth to one-eighth of an inch apart. The tail T of filling (FIG. 4b) projecting from the jaws of the needle PR is instantly directed toward the port 161 in the tip of needle RE (a jet of compressed air issuing from the tip of needle PR) and is drawninto the needle RE by suction, and is gripped by the clamping device 162. An instant thereafter, the jaws of the needle PR release the filling and are locked in open position as the needle PR retreats. The needles now begin to retractv and reach their fully retracted position when the crankshaft has arrived at the bottom center, the needle RE now releasing filling end,'while the needle PR is now in retracted position with its jaws open in readiness to take another filling end from the selector.

Details of operation of needlePR toward the center of the loom or to the right.

this time, slide 190a (FIG. 11) at the right-hand side of' the loom will be moved by the cam (corresponding to the cam 213, FIG. 20) to push the tappet 180a to the left, that is, to the position shown in FIG. 8, thus moving the rod 163a toward the center of the loom or to the left and closing the nipper jaws on the filling. It will be noted that the jaws 420, 421 are narrow and seize the filling at a distance from its extreme end and that a short length or tail T (FIG. 4a) of filling projects beyond the closed aws.

It is to be noted that the nipper jaws are now locked clue to the fact that the toggle linkage was pushed past dead-center. In so doing, the toggle linkage compressed the spring 174a (FIG. -8) which acts against the support for the fulcrum pivot of the bell-crank lever.

As the loom crankshaft now moves to top center the needle PR starts moving through the open shed carrying the clamped filling end. When the crank reaches the back center the needle PR is at the end of its forward stroke with its tip in the middle of the shed in juxtaposition to but spaced from the tip of the needle RE and with the short tail T of filling projecting from the jaws. At this time, slide 190a (FIG. 11) is moved by its actuating cam toward the outside of the loom or to the right (FIG. 11). As the slide thus moves the part 189a (FIG. 9) contacts the arm 177a of the bell-crank and pushes the bellcrank in the clockwise direction until the pivot Ba passes the dead-center, whereupon the spring 1740 snaps the linkageto the dotted line position (FIG. 9) and opens the nipper jaws. Then, when the crank, in continuing to turn, reaches the bottom center, the needle PR will have been returned to the retracted position, the nippers remaining open until the front center position is again resumed.

Details of operation of needle RE With the lay L at the front center, the needle RE is in retracted position (FIG. 4b), with the filling gripping plug 162 spaced from the conical seating surface at the inside of the needle tip, so that the port 161 is open. As the loom crankshaft moves to top center, the needle RE starts to enter the open shed. When the crank reaches back center, the needle RE is at the end of its forward stroke, and the free tail T of filling, which now projects from the jaws of the needle PR (FIG. 4a), is presented to the needle RE. This free tail of the filling at this time projects directly forwardly from the nipper jaws, due to an air jet discharged from the needle PR and, because vacuum is now created at the port 161 .in the needle RE, this tail of filling is drawn into the .port 161. Now the cam 413 on the crankshaft C, operating through its linkage, pushes slide bar 190 toward the outside of the loom or to the left (FIG. 12), thus moving rod 186, the bellcrank and toggle link into the full line, locked position shown in FIG. 8. This moves the gripper plug 162 to clamp the filling end against the conical seat surface at the inside of the tip of the needle RE. The crank now moves to bottom center thus retracting the needle RE and completing the travel of the filling end through the shed.

Just before the crank reaches front center and while the lay is about A of an inch away from the fell of the cloth, the cam 413, through its linkage, moves slide bar 190 This pushes tappet 180 against the arm 177 of the bell-crank and thus breaks the toggle linkage to allow the spring 164 to retract the plug 162 and release the filling.

While one desirable embodiment of the invention has herein been disclosed by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention includes all modifications and equivalents-which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A needle loom of the kind comprising a yarn-carrying needle, having yarn-gripping jaws designed to receive and hold conventional limp filling yarn, means for actuating said jaws to seize an end portion of a pick of filling yarn at one side of the loom and advance said end portion of the filling yarn, with a short terminal length thereof projecting forwardly from between the gripping jaws, to a yarn transfer point approximately midway across the loom, and a yarn-receiving device, comprising rigid yarnclamping elements, which receives said terminal length of filling from said needle at the transfer point and completes its advance to the opposite side of the loom, means for supporting and moving said needle comprising a carrier, guided for movement longitudinally of the lay, a needle holder mounted upon and normally fixed to the carrier, the needle being slidable within said holder, means for moving the carrier with the holder thereon from one side of the loom toward the other side, means operative to move said needle relatively to the holder in the same direction'as the carrier but at a relatively greater speed, and means operative to transfer said terminal length of filling from the needle to the yarn-receiving device while the latter is at the transfer point but spaced from the needle.

2. The combination according to claim 1, further characterized in that the means for moving the yarnreceiving device and needle is so devised that, when the yarn-receiving device is at the limit of its motion from one side of the loom toward the other side, the tip of the needle and the yarn-receiving device are spaced apart.

3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein for moving the needle, relatively to the holder, the carrier supports two sheaves turning about parallel axes and located, respetcively, near opposite ends of the holder, a flexible band embracing both sheaves, said band comprising parallel runs, means attaching one of said runs to the needle, and means for attaching the other of said runs to the lay whereby, as the holder moves relatively to the lay, the effective length of the hand, between its point of attachment to the needle and the respective sheaves, varies.

4. In combination, in a needle loom comprising a lay' and which is of the kind which hasmeans located at one side of the loom for holding an end of a pick of needle, operative to opensaid jaws to receive the yarn end from the holding means, means to close the jaws and for locking them in closed position as the needle moves to the transfer point; and to open the jaws when they arrive at the transfer point thereby to release the yarn end.

5. The combination according to claim 4, further characterized in that yarn-holding means is so located, relatively to the fully retracted needle, thatit is operative to position the end portion of a selected pick of filling yarn so that it extends, under tension, between the open jaws of the gripping means with a short length of the yarn located between the holding means and the bite of the jaws when the latter close.

6. In combination, in a needle loom of the kind which has means located at one side of the loom for holding one end of a pick of filling yarn, and a needle operative to take said end from the holding means and carry it part-way, only, across the shed to a transfer point, said needle comprising relatively movable jaws for gripping said yarn end, means operative to open said jaws to receive said yarn end from the holding means, means for closing the jaws and for holding them in closed position as the needle moves to the tranfer point, and means operative to open the jaws when they arrive at the transfer point thereby to release said yarn end wherein the means for opening the gripper jaws comprises a spring, and wherein the means for closing the jaws comprises a toggle linkage, said linkage being so designed that, when the jaws are closed, the linkage is in locked position, further characterized in having means operative, as the jaws arrive at the transfer point, for unlocking the toggle linkage.

7. In combination, in a needle loom of the kind which A has means located at one side of the loom for holding an end of a pick of filling yarn, and a needle operative to take said end from the holding means and carry it part-way, only, across the shed to a transfer point, said needle comprising relatively movable jaws for gripping the yarn end, means operative to open said jaws to rereive the yarn end from the holding means, means for closing the jaws and for holding them in closed position as the needle moves to the transfer point, and means operative to open the jaws when they arrive at the transfer point thereby to release said yarn end, wherein the needle which carries the yarn end toward the transfer point has a yarn-guiding opening in its tip and a slot which intersects said opening, a pair of relatively movable jaws in said slot operative, when closed, to clamp a yarn within the opening, the tip having a yarn-guiding throat which opens into said yarn-guiding opening when the jaws are open, and means operative, when the jaws are open and the needle is in retracted position, to draw a tensioned yarn inwardly through the throat and into said opening.

8. A shuttleless loom according to claim 4, further characterized in having yarn-holding and cutting means operative to hold and cut each of a plurality of yarns of different characteristics, respectively, pattern means operative to select that one of-saidyarns, held by the yarn changer, which is to be presented to the needle, and means for moving the yarn changer bodily from an inoperative position to a position such as to dispose the selected yarn between the open jaws of the needle.

9. A shuttleless loom according to claim 8, further characterized in having a yarn end holder disposed between the yarn changer and theline which is the locus of the selvage edge of a woven web, during normal operation of the loom, said holder having a pair of relatively movable yarn-gripping jaws and a yarn cutter for each individual yarn end, means for moving the holder bodily from an inoperative position toward yarnholding position, and means for moving the gripping jaws and cutters of the yarn holder.

10. 'In combination, in a needle loom of the kind which has means located at one side of the loom for holding an end of a pick of filling yarn, and a needle operative to take said end from holding means and carry it partway, only, across the shed to a transfer point, said needle comprising relatively movable jaws for gripping the yarn ends, means operative to open said jaws, to receive said yarn end from the holding means, means for closing the jaws and for holding them in closed position as the needle moves to the transfer point, and means operative to open the jaws when they arrive at the transfer point thereby to release said yarn end, a yarn changer operative to'hold a plurality of yarns of different characteristics respectively, pattern means operative to select that one of said yarns, held by the yarn changer, which is to be presented to the needle, and means for moving the yarn changer bodily from an inoperative position to a position such as to dispose the selected yarn between the open jaws of the needle, a yarn end holder disposed between the yarn changer and the selvage edge of the woven web, said holder having. relatively movable yarn-gripping jaws, means for moving the holder bodily from an inoperative position toward yarn-holding position, and means for relatively moving the jaws of the yarn holder, wherein the yarn changer and the yarn holder are mounted, respectively, upon slide members movable transversely of the lay, and cams mounted on a shaft which turns in accurately timed relation to the rotation of the crankshaft for moving said slides and for actuating the jaws of the yarn changer and the yarnholder.

11. The combination according to claim 1, further characterized in that the yarn-receiving device is a second needle, coaxial with the first, and arranged to convey the yarn from the transfer point across the remainder of the shed, means substantially like that which supports, guides and moves the first needle for actuating the second needle, the second needle moving oppositely to the first needle, the means for moving the needles being so devised that at the transfer point the ends of the needles are spaced apart, and pneumatic means for transferring the terminal length of filling, released from the open jaws of the first needle, to the second needle.

12. A needle loom according to claim 1, further characterized in that the yarn-receiving comprises a second needle coaxial with the first, a tubular holder for said second needle, a carrier guided for movement longitudinally of the lay on which said last-named holder is mounted, means for moving the second-named carrier from one sideof the loom toward the opposite side, and means operative to move the second needle relatively to its holder in the same direction as the carrier on which its holder is mounted but at relatively greater speed, the means for moving the carriers comprising a single endless cable and means for moving the cable alternately in opposite directions, the stroke of the cable being such that, in approaching each other, the tips of the needles never contact.

13. A needle loom according to claim 12, further characterized in that the means for moving the cable comprises relatively movable parts so adjustable as to vary the location of the transfer point.

14. A needle loom according to claim 1, having two oppositely directed, axially aligned yarn-carrying needles with their yarn-holding ends opposed to each other, a

carrier for each respective needle mounted upon and movable longitudinally of the lay, means for moving said carriers toward each other simultaneously until the yarn carrying ends of the needles are closely adjacent but spaced apart at a yarn transfer point approximately midway between the ends of the lay, means operative so to deliver the end portion of a pick of soft, limp filling yarn to the yarn-holding end of one of said needles, while the latter is in retracted position adjacentto one end of the lay, that a short length of the filling yarn projects from the end of said needle, and means operative to transfervsaid projecting yarn end to the other needle while they are at the transfer point, and means operative to release the yarn end from the needle to which it is last delivered when said latter needle is in retracted position adjacent to the side of the loom.

15. A needle loom according to claim 14, wherein the means for moving the two carriers comprises a single endless cable passing about sheaves mounted upon the lay, and means for moving said cable in opposite directions during each successive cycle of operation of the loom, said cable comprising runs which cross each other at a point intermediate said carriers and having two other runs to which the two carriers, respectively, are attached.

16. The combination according to claim 14, wherein the needle which first takes the yarn has relatively movable yarn-gripping jaws and the needle which takes the yarn from the first needle has a yarn-receiving orifice, and means for gripping the end of a yarn which enters said orifice. i

17. In a needle loom of the kind wherein a crankshaft, turning once for each weaving cycle, carries a cam for rocking a lay, and wherein a yarn-carrying needle, mounted on and movable longitudinally of the lay, take an end of a single pick of filling at one side of the loom and carries it to a transfer point intermediate the sides of the loom, means operative to receive said end of filling at the transfer point and complete its traverse to the opposite side of the loom, means for supporting and moving the needle comprising a carrier mounted upon needle holder mounted on and normally fixed to the 13 carrier, a needle slidable within said holder, and means actuated by the crankshaft for reciprocating the carrier to move from one side of the loom toward the other and then back again during each rotation of the cam shaft, the means for reciprocating the carrier comprising a sector mounted to rock upon a supporting member, a cam fixed to the crankshaft, and means actuated by said cam for rocking the sector back and forth once for each revolution of the crankshaft, and an endless cable which passes about guide sheaves mounted on the lay, said cable having a run which is fixed to the carrier and having a second run which is fixed to the sector whereby, as the latter rocks, the cable is pulled first in one direction and then in the other, and means operative, during each cycle of motion of the carrier, to advance the needle relatively to the holder as the carrier moves from one side of the loom toward the other and to retract it within the holder as the carrier moves in the reverse direction.

18. A needle loom of the kind which comprises means for advancing the end of a pick of filling yarn through the open shed to a transfer point intermediate the ends of the lay, and a needle which receives the yarn end at the transfer point and completes its advance to the opposite side of the loom, characterized in that the needle which takes the yarn at the transfer point has a hollow tip of smooth semielliptical external shape and a yarn receiving orifice at its end, the inner surface of said hollow tip being of truncated conical contour, and a yarn-gripping element comprising a plug, arranged within said hollow tip and having a spherically curved surface operable to make a line contact with said truncated conical surface, the plug having an axial guiding stem, and a spring which urges the plug toward said truncated conical surface to' prevent withdrawal of a yarn end which has entered the orifice.

19. A needle loom of the kind wherein a needle takes the end of a pick of filling yarn and carries it to a transfer point, and a second needle receives the yarn end from the first needle at the transfer point and completes its travel to the opposite side of the loom, and comprising means operative to advance both needles simultaneously toward the transfer point until, at their closest point of approach, the ends of the needles are spaced apart a distance of from /s to A of an inch and then immediately to retract both needles from the transfer point, and means operative to transfer the end of a soft, limp filling yarn from one needle to the other while theneedles are at the transfer point, characterized in that the needle which receives the yarn at the transfer point is hollow andhas a yarn-receiving orifice at its end, a yarn-clamping element operative, at times, to close said orifice and thereby clamp a yarn end, which has been entered into the orifice by the transfer means, against the inner surface of the needle, spring means operative, while the needle is approaching the transfer point, to hold the clamping element in retracted position thereby to permit a yarn to be entered into the orifice by the transfer means, and means operative, before the needle begins to retract from the transfer point, to move the clamping element to yamclamping position.

20. A needle loom of the kind wherein a needle takes the end of a pick of filling yarn and advances it to a transfer point, and a second needle receives the yarn end at the transfer point and completes its advance to the opposite side of the loom, characterized in that the needle which takes the yarn at the transfer point is hollow and has a yarn-receiving orifice at its end, means within said hollow needle operative to prevent withdrawal of a yarn end which has entered the orifice, said means comprising relatively movable, cooperating rigid elements designed to grip a yarn between them, one of said elements being annular; within the needle; and coaxial with said orifice, and the other of said elements being within the needle and movable axially of the needle and being such as to make a line contact with saidannular element,

l4 spring means urging said movable element toward the annular element, and means operative to retract the movable element from the relatively fixed annular element and for positively locking it in retracted position.

21. In combination, in a needle loom of the kind having means operative to take the end of a filling pick at one side of the loom and carry it to a transfer point approximately midway between the sides of the loom where a needle receives the end of said filling pick and carries it to the opposite side of the loom, and wherein the needle which takes the yarn end at the transfer point is hollow and has a yarn-receiving orifice at its end, a movable yarn-clamping element within said hollow needle operative to prevent withdrawal of a yarn end which has entered the orifice, spring means tending to retain said clamping element in inoperative position thereby to permit a yarn end to enter'said orifice, means operative, so to actuate said clamping element as the needle begins to retract from the transfer point, as to clamp and hold the yarn end within the orifice as the needle retracts, and means operative, when the needle is fully retracted, to

release the clamping element so that it may be retracted from the orifice by the spring.

22. The combination according to claim 21, wherein the means for placing and holding the clamping element in operative position comprises a toggle linkage, means for so actuating the toggle linkage, when the needle is at the transfer point, as to move the clamping element to operative position thereby to clamp the end of the yarn and to dispose the toggle linkage in locked position, and means operative, at the completion of the retraction of the needle from the transfer point, to unlock the toggle linkage and thereby to permit the spring to retract the clamping element from the yarn-receiving orifice.

23. The combination according to claim 22, further characterized in that the actuating means for the toggle linkage is so devised as to accommodate the apparatus to the weaving of cloth of different widths.

24. A shuttleless loom of the kind wherein a crankshaft makes one revolution for each weaving cycle and wherein two coaxial yarn-carrying needles, each having a yarn-carrying end, are mounted upon a lay and guided to slide longitudinally of the lay, the yarn-carrying end of each respective needle being provided with yarn-gripping means, means operative to close the yarn-gripping means of one of said needles when the latter is fully retracted thereby to grip the end of a yarn presented to said gripping means and to open said gripping means and release said yarn end when said first-named needle is at a transfer position, means operative to position the yarngripping means of the other needle, as the latter approaches the transfer point, to receive the end of yarn released from the gripping means of the first-named needle, means operative to transfer said released yarn to the yarn-gripping means of the second-named needle, and means operative to open the gripping means to release the yarn end when the second-named needle is fully retracted, and means for transmitting motion from the crankshaft to the grippig means of each of the respective needles in properly timed relation.

25. A shuttleless loom according to claim 24, further characterized in having positive locking means operative to keep the yarn-gripping means of each respective needle closed in yarn-gripping position while the respective needle is performing its yarn-carrying function.

26. A shuttleless loom. of the kind wherein a crankshaft makes one revolution for each weaving cycle and wherein two coaxial yarn-carrying needles, each having a yarn-carrying end, are mounted upon the loom lay and guided to slide longitudinally of the lay toward and from a transfer point, intermediate the ends of the lay, at which the yarn-carrying ends of the needles are closely juxtaposed, the yarn-carrying end of each respective needle being provided with yarn-gripping means, means operative to close the yarn-gripping means of one of said nee- 15 dles when the latter is fully retracted thereby to grip the end of a yarn presented to said gripping means and to open said gripping means and release said yarn end when said first-named needle is at the transfer position, means operative to close the gripping means of the other needle when the latter is at the transfer point thereby to grip a yarn end received from the first-named needle and to open the gripping means to release the yarn end when the second-named needle is fully retracted, and means for transmitting motion from the crankshaft for actuating the gripping means of each of the respective needles in properly timed relation, and wherein the motion-transmitting means for actuating the gripping means of each respective needle comprises a toggle linkage, means for' so actuating each respective toggle linkage as to lock the yamgripping means of each respective needle in yarn-gripping position while the needle is performing the yarn-carrying function, and means for unlocking the toggle linkage when each respective needle has completed its yarn-carrying motion.

27. A shuttleless loom of the kind wherein a crankshaft makes one revolution for each weaving cycle and wherein two coaxial yarn-carrying needles, each having a yarn-carrying end, are mounted upon the loom lay and guided to slide longitudinally of the lay toward and from a transfer point, intermediate the ends of the lay, at which the yarn-carrying ends of the needles are closely juxtaposed, the yarn-carrying end of each respective needle being provided with yarn-gripping means, means operative to close the yarn-gripping means of one of said needles when the latter is fully retracted thereby to grip the end of a yarn presented to said gripping means and to open said gripping means and release said yarn end when said first-named needle is at the transfer position, means operative to close the gripping means of the other needle when the latter is at the transfer point thereby to grip a yarn end received from the first-named needle and to open the gripping means to release the yarn end when the second-named needle is fully retracted, and means for transmitting motion from the crankshaft for actuating the gripping means of each of the respective needles in properly timed relation, and wherein the motion-transmitting means for actuating the gripping means of each respective needle comprises a toggle linkage, means for so actuating each respective toggle linkage as to lock the yarn-gripping means of each respective needle in yarngripping position While the needle is performing the yarncarrying function, and means for unlocking the toggle linkage when each respective needle has completed its yarn-carrying motion, and wherein the means for locking and unlocking the toggle linkage comprises a powerdriven rotarycam which makes one revolution for each weaving cycle.

28. A shuttleless loom of the kind wherein a crankshaft makes one revolution for each weaving cycle and wherein two coaxial yarn-carrying needles, each having a yarn-carrying end, are mounted upon the loom lay and guided to slide longitudinally of the lay toward and from a transfer point, intermediate the ends of the lay, at which the yarn-carrying end of the needles are closely juxtaposed, the yarn-carrying end of each respective needle being provided with yarn-gripping means, means operative to close the yarn-gripping means of one of said needles when the latter is fully retracted thereby to grip the end of a yarn presented to said gripping means and to open said gripping means and release said yarn end when said first-named needle is. at the transfer position, means operative to closethe gripping means of the other needle when the latter is at 'the transfer point thereby to grip a yarn end received from the first-named needle and to open the gripping means to release the yarn end when. the second-named needle is, fully retracted, and means for transmitting motion from the crankshaft for actuating the gripping means of eachof the respective needles in properly timed relation, and wherein the motion-transmitting means for actuating the gripping for each weaving cycle, further characterized in having means for transmitting motion from the rotary cam to the toggle linkage, comprising relatively movable parts adjustable, in accordance with the width of the cloth to be woven.

29. A shuttleless loom of the kind wherein a crankshaft makes one revolution for each weaving cycle and wherein two coaxial yarn-carrying needles, each having a yarn-carrying end, are mounted upon the loom lay and guided to slide longitudinally of the lay toward and from a transfer point, intermediate the ends of the lay, at which the yarn-carrying ends of the needles are closely juxtaposed, the yarn-carrying end of each respective needle being provided with yarn-gripping means, means operative to close the yarn-gripping means of one of said needles when the latter is fully retracted thereby to grip the end of a yarn presented to said gripping means and to open said gripping means and release said yarn end when said first-named needle is at the transfer position, means operative to close the gripping means of the other needle when the latter is at the transfer point thereby to grip a yarn end received from the first-named needle and to open the gripping means to release the yarn end when the second-namedneedle is fully retracted, and means for transmitting motion from the crankshaft for actuating the gripping means of each of the respective needles in properly timed relation, and wherein the motion-transmitting means for actuating the gripping means of each respective needle comprises a toggle linkage, means for so actuating each respective toggle linkage as to lock the yarngripping means of each respective needle in yarn-gripping position while the needle is performing the yarn-carrying function, and means for unlocking the toggle linkage when each respective needle has completed its yarn-carrying motion, and wherein the toggle linkage for actuating and locking the yarn-gripping mean-s of each respective needle is located within the respective needle, and wherein, for actuating the toggle linkage of each respective needle, there is mounted upon'the loom lay a. longitudinally slidable bar which is moved back and forth by a cam on the crankshaft, and a pair of spaced dogs on each of said bars operative, as the bar moves in opposite directions, to lock and unlock the toggle linkage.

30. A shuttleless loom of the kind wherein a crankshaft makes one revolution for each'weaving cycle and wherein two coaxial yarncarrying needles, each having a yarn-carrying end, are mounted uponzthe loom lay and guided to slide longitudinally of the lay toward and from a transfer point, intermediate the ends of the lay, at which the yarn-carrying ends of the needles are closely juxtaposed, the yarn-carrying end of each respective needle being provided with yarn-gripping means, means operative to closethe yarn-gripping means of one of said needles when the latter is fully retracted thereby to grip the end of a yarn presented to said gripping means and to open said gripping means and release said yarn end when said first-named needle is at the transfer position, means operative to close the gripping means of the other needle when the later is at the transfer point thereby to grip a yarn end received from the first-named needle and to open the gripping means to release the yarn end when the second-named needle is fully retracted, and means for transmitting motion from the crankshaft for actuating the gripping means of each of the respective needles in properly timed relation, and wherein the motion-transmitting means for actuating the gripping means of each respective needle comprises a toggle linkage, means for so actuating each respective toggle linkage as to lock the yarngripping means of each respective needle in yarn-gripping position while the needle is performing the Yarn-carrying function, and means for unlocking the toggle linkage when.

each respective needle has completed its yarn-carrying motion, and the means for locking and unlocking the toggle linkage comprises a'power-driven rotary cam which makes one revolution for each weaving cycle, and wherein the toggle-actuating dogs on the slidable bar are relatively adjustable longitudinally of the bar thereby to provide for the accurate timing of the locking and unlocking of the toggle linkage.

31. A shuttleless loom of the kind wherein a crankshaft makes one revolution for each weaving cycle and wherein two coaxial yarn-carrying needles, each having needle being provided with yam-gripping means, means operative to close the yam-gripping means'of one of said needles when the latter is fully retracted thereby to grip the end of a yarn presented to said gripping means and to open said gripping means and release said-yarn end when said first-named needle is at the transfer position, means operative to close the gripping means of the other needle when the latter is at the transfer point thereby to grip a yarn end received from the first-named needle and to open the gripping means to release the yarn end when the second-named needle is fully retracted, and means for transmitting motion from the crankshaft for actuating the gripping 'means of each of' the respective needles in properly timed relation, and wherein the motion-transmitting means for actuating the gripping means of each respective needle comprises a toggle linkage, m'e-ans for so actuating each respective toggle linkage as to lock the yam-gripping means of each respective needle in yamgripping portion while the needle is performing the yarncarrying function, and means for unlocking the toggle linkage when each respective needle has completed its yarn-carrying motion, and wherein the toggle linkage for actuating and locking the yarn-gripping means of each respective needle is located within the respective needle, and wherein, for actuating the toggle linkage of each respective needle, there is mounted upon the loomlay a longitudinally slidable bar which is moved back and forth by a cam on the crankshaft, and a pair of spaced dogs on each of said bars operative, as the bar moves in opposite directions, to lock and unlock the toggle linkage, further characterized in that the bar which carries the toggleactuating dogs is provided with means whereby the spacing of the dogs may be adjusted to correspond with variations in the width of the woven web thereby to determine the time of actuation of the toggle linkage to correspond to the width of the weft being woven.

32. In a shuttleless weaving loom of the kind which comprises a yarn-carrying device operative to carry the end of a filling pick part of the way, only, across the shed to a transfer point, and a second yarn-carrying device operative to take said end at the transfer point and complete the travel of said end across the shed, the firstnamed of said devices comprises relatively movable jaws for gripping the yarn end, means operative to open and close said jaws, means for so presenting a yarn end to said jaws, when the latter are open, that when the jaws close the extreme end of the yarn will extend as a freely movable tail from said jaws, and means operative to urge said tail toward the second of said devices when both devices are at the transfer point.

33. The combination according to claim 32, wherein the means for closing the jaws comprises a toggle linkage operative to lock the jaws in closed position as the yarncarrying device completes its advance motion, and means operative automatically, when the yarn-carrying device reaches the transfer position, to unlock said toggle and thereby permit the jaws to open.

34. The combination according to claim 32, comprising means for opening said jaws when the device is in fully retracted position in readiness to receive a yarn between them, and means for closing said jaws immediately before said yarn-carrying device begins its advance toward the transfer position.

35. In a shuttleless weaving loom of the kind which comprises a yarn-carrying device operative to carry an end of a filling pick part of the way, only, across the shed to a transfer point, and a second yarn-carrying device operative to take said end at the transfer point and complete the travel of said end across the shed, wherein the second-named of said devices has a yam-receiving orifice, further characterized in having means operative to induce the inflow of air at said orifice as said second device arrives at the transfer point thereby to draw the yarn end into said orifice, and further characterized in having a movable closure for said yarn-receiving orifice,

and means whereby, as said yarn-carrying device begins to retreat from the transfer point, said closure is actuated to close the port and thereby grip a yarn end which has been drawn into the port. v

36. In a shuttleless weaving loom of the kind which comprises a yarn-carrying device operative to carry an end of a filling pick part of the way, only, across the shed to a transfer point, and a second yarn-carrying device operative to take said end at the transfer point and complete the travel of said end across the shed, wherein the secondnamed of said devices has a yam-receiving orifice, further characterized in having means operative to induce the inflow of air at said orifice as said second device arrives at the transfer point thereby to drawn the yarn end into said orifice, and wherein, for closing the yarn-receiving orifice, there is a plug which is normally urged toward open position by a spring, and wherein the means for moving said plug toward port-closing position comprises a toggle linkage operative positively to hold said plug in orificeclosing position while the yarn-carrying device is completing its retracting stroke.

37. The combination according to claim 32, wherein the first of said yarn-carrying devices is guided,-in moving toward or from the transfer position, by relatively movable elements, one of which is a piston working in a cylinder, said elements being so constructed and arranged that, as the first-named yarn-carrying device moves toward the transfer point, the piston compress-es air within the cylinder, and means for discharging the air thus compressed as a jet from the yarn-carrying end of said device.

38. The combination according to claim 32, wherein the second of said yarn-carrying devices is guided, in moving toward or from the transfer position, by relatively movable elements, one of which is a piston working in a cylinder, said elements being so constructed and arranged that, as said second yarn-carrying device advances toward the transfer position, the piston acts to create subatmospheric pressure within the cylinder such as, by suction, to drawn a yarn end, presented by the first of said devices, into operative engagement with the second of said devices.

39. A needle loom of the kind wherein two axially aligned needles aremoved toward and from each other once for each weaving cycle, one needle carrying one end of a single strand of filling yarn from one selvage to a transfer point and the other needle taking said end of filling yarn at the transfer point and carrying it to the opposite selvage, characterized in that each needle has a hollow blunt nose having an orifice at its tip, yarn-clamping means housed within the nose of each needle, said clamping means comprising at least one movable jaw and -a part with which said jaw cooperates for gripping the yarn, means within each needle for locking said movable jaw in closed position thereby positively to grip the yarn, means for so simultaneously moving the needles toward each other that, at their nearest point of approach, the

tips of their noses are spaced apart a distance not substantially exceeding /1 inch, and means operative to move a yarn end, released from the clamping means of the firstnamed needle, across the space between said tips and to place said yarn end within the field of action of the movable jaw of the other of said needles.

40; A needle loom according to claim 39, wherein for moving the yarn end from one needle nose to the other the first needle comprises means for delivering a jet of compressed air from its nose while the second needle comprises means for creating suction at the yarn-receiving orifice of its nose.

41. In a shuttleless weaving loom of the kind which comprises a yarn-carrying device comprising mechanical, yarn-gripping means operative to grip and carry the end of a pick of soft, limp filling part ofthe way, only, across the shed to a transfer point and then to release said end, and a second yarn-carrying device comprising mechanical, yarn-gripping means operative to grip and take said end at the transfer point and complete the travel of said end across the shed, and means operative to move the mechan-' ical, yarn-gripping means of the respective yarn-carrying devices into close but spaced relationship at the transfer ical, yarn-gripping means of the first of said devices, toward the second of said devices.

43. In a shuttleless weaving loom of the kind which comprises a yarn-carrying device having mechanical, yarn-gripping means operative to carrying the end of a filling pick part of the way, only, across the shed to a transfer point, and then to release said end, and a second yarncarrying device having mechanical, yarn-gripping means operative to take said end at the transfer point and complete the travel of said end across the shed, wherein the second-named of said devices has a yarn-receiving orifice, further characterized in having means operative to induce the inflow of air at said orifice as said second device arrives at the transfer point thereby to draw the yarn end released from the mechanical, yarn-gripping means of the first-named yarn-carrying device into said orifice.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,061,836 5/1913 Graf 139-123 2,702,566 2/1955 Houghton 139-427 2,890,725 6/1959 Brannock 139-123 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,261,463 4/1961 France.

22,659 1901 Great Britain. 862,093 3/ 1961 Great Britain.

ROBERT R. MACKEY, Acting Primary Examiner.

DONALD W. PARKER, Examiner. 

1. A NEEDLE LOOM OF THE KIND COMPRISING A YARN-CARRYING NEEDLE, HAVING YARN-GRIPPING JAWS DESIGNED TO RECEIVE AND HOLD CONVENTIONAL LIMP FILLING YARN, MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID JAWS TO SEIZE AND END PORTION OF A PICK OF FILLING YARN AT ONE SIDE OF THE LOOM AND ADVANCE SAID END PORTION OF THE FILLING YARN, WITH A SHORT TERMINAL LENGTH THEREOF PROJECTING FORWARDLY FROM BETWEEN THE GRIPPING JAWS, TO A YARN TRANSFER POINT APPROXIMATELY MIDWAY ACROSS THE LOOM, AND A YARN-RECEIVING DEVICE, COMPRISING RIGID YARNCLAMPING ELEMENTS, WHICH RECEIVES SAID TERMINAL LENGTH OF FILLING FROM SAID NEEDLE AT THE TRANSFER POINT AND COMPLETES ITS ADVANCE TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE LOOM, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND MOVING SAID NEEDLE COMPRISING A CARRIER, GUIDED FOR MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF THE LAY, A NEEDLE HOLDER MOUNTED UPON AND NORMALLY FIXED TO THE CARRIER, THE NEEDLE BEING SLIDABLE WITHIN SAID HOLDER, MEANS FOR MOVING THE CARRIER WITH THE HOLDER THEREON FROM ONE SIDE OF THE LOOM TOWARD THE OTHER SIDE, MEANS OPERATIVE TO MOVE SAID NEEDLE RELATIVELY TO THE HOLDER IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE CARRIER BUT A RELATIVELY GREATER SPEED, AND MEANS OPERATIVE TO TRANSFER SAID TERMINAL LENGTH OF FILLING FROM THE NEEDLE TO THE YARN-RECEIVING DEVICE WHILE THE LATTER IS AT THE TRANSFER POINT BUT SPACED FROM THE NEEDLE. 